This inscription by James Hakewill (1778–1843), represents part of a suggested itinerary for travelling in Italy in preparation for Turner’s first Italian tour of 1819 (see the introduction to the sketchbook). The text was first transcribed by Finberg,
1 and is repeated here with minor variations:
Cross the Appenines to Bologna. | Bologna to Modena, Parma | Guartalla, Mantua. | From Mantua to Pescheria | and the Lago di Garda. | Verona – Verona by | Padua &c to Venice. | Home by the Tyrol. | through Switzerland & | France.
The text follows on from folio 37 verso (
D13931) and continues on folio 35 verso (
D13926). The content is repeated to some extent on folios 19–24 (
D13893–D13903).
The route recommended here reflects Hakewill’s own tour of Italy in 1816–17 where he journey back from Rome via Florence, Bologna, Venice and Switzerland.
2 Turner, however, ultimately chose a different course, travelling to Venice on the outward leg, and returning home via Florence, Milan, Turin and the Pass of Mont Cenis into France.
